Ruud stays loyal

Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy yesterday signed a longterm contract with Manchester United and revealed how his mind was made up when Sir Alex Ferguson signed his new deal.

The Dutchman's acceptance of a five-year deal worth £20million came just 24 hours after Ferguson finally put his name to a 12-month rolling agreement.

The timing was anything but coincidental, according to the prolific Holland marksman, who settled on terms of £80,000-a-week but could have earned more by holding out for a summer move to Real Madrid.

Real made Van Nistelrooy their top target last year but were warned that United would respond by stepping up their efforts to keep him for the rest of his top-flight career.

When Real president Florentino Perez confirmed his interest, the 27-year-old met United officials for talks that reached a conclusion the day after Ferguson's contract breakthrough.

After coming under mounting pressure during his bitter dispute with horse-racing magnate and United shareholder John Magnier, Ferguson will be heartened by a glowing tribute from Van Nistelrooy that reflects the level of support for him in the dressing-room.

'Alex Ferguson staying was a very important factor in this,' he said. 'I spoke to him about it, about the future of the club and his plans for the team. I know that with his managerial qualities and these players, there are great years to come. I want to be part of that.

'I've had some great moments here already and grown very fond of the club. But it's clear there are further challenges ahead and I'm looking forward to them.'

Van Nistelrooy developed a close bond with Ferguson within days of his proposed move from PSV Eindhoven in May 2000 being shelved due to misgivings over a knee condition. As he strove to prove his fitness on a training pitch, he collapsed in agony. His knee had given way and the scream of anguish that followed signalled the start of a gruelling year-long recovery from a ruptured cruciate ligament. While many feared his hopes of joining United had been scuppered, Fergie lifted his spirits by keeping in regular contact and even inviting him to United's Carrington training headquarters.

Fourteen months later, on July 1, 2001, the signing ceremony took place as Van Nistelrooy completed a £19m move and began a scoring spree that has so far brought him 98 goals from 127 appearances.

He set a new scoring record (14) for one Champions League campaign last season and attracted the attention of Real in the process. But the Fergie effect was decisive, as he explained: 'They were difficult times after I hurt my knee, but Alex stood by me and made a lasting impression. I'll never forget the way he visited me in hospital and showed such genuine concern.

'He's an incredible character, vastly knowledgeable on so many subjects, and you can't overestimate how much that helped me as I tried to work my way back to fitness.'

Van Nistelrooy's team-mate, Nicky Butt, has been told a move to Birmingham could still materialise in the summer if the England midfielder cannot tear himself away from Old Trafford in the next few days.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce has vowed to re-ignite his interest if, as seems likely, the midfielder elects to remain with United for the time being. Ferguson and his on-field lieutenant Roy Keane, want their colleague to remain for this season at least.

'We've agreed a fee and spoken to the player,' said Bruce. 'If we had two or three weeks, then it might be different. But with two or three days, it's difficult. It's not a financial decision for Nicky. It's purely leaving a club like United.'